Fast acting inhibitor of gastric acid secretion

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the use of pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salts, preferably water soluble zinc salts alone or optionally, in combination with one or more of a protein pump inhibitor (PPI), H2 blocker, anti- H. pylori  antibiotic/antimicrobial, cytoprotective agent or a combination agent as otherwise described herein for providing fast action with optional long duration effect in reducing gastric acid secretion, raising the pH of the stomach during resting phase as well as decreasing the duration of stomach acid release during a secretagogue phase and for treating conditions including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZE disease), ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, as well as preventing or reducing the likelihood of ulcer disease. In addition, the present methods are useful for treating patients who are non-responsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and as an alternative to traditional therapies or conditions which are caused by rapid and complete inhibition of secretagogue induced acid secretion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional applications no. US60/762,595, filed Jan. 27, 2006, US60/764,834, filed Feb. 3, 2006 and US60/850,891, filed Oct. 11, 2006, each of said applications being incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salts, preferably water soluble zinc salts alone or optionally, in combination with one or more of a protein pump inhibitor (PPI), H2 blocker, anti-H. pylori antibiotic/antimicrobial, cytoprotective agent or a combination agent as otherwise described herein for providing fast action with optional long duration effect in reducing gastric acid secretion, including acid secretion in the fundus (by inhibiting vacuolar H⁺-ATPase) and upper body region of the stomach (by inhibiting H⁺/K⁺-ATPase), thus raising the pH of the stomach during resting phase as well as decreasing the duration of stomach acid release during a secretagogue phase and for treating conditions including gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZE disease), ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, as well as preventing or reducing the likelihood of ulcer disease. In addition, the present methods are useful for treating patients who are non-responsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and as an alternative to traditional therapies or conditions which are caused by rapid and complete inhibition of secretagogue induced acid secretion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The generation of concentrated 0.16N hydrochloric acid by the mammalian parietal cell involves a complex combination of neuronal and hormonal regulatory feedback loops¹⁻³ Following activation of the cell there is a complex cellular transfer of ions that allows for the formation of acid⁴⁻⁷. A disruption in any of these components (secretory receptors, or ion transporters) can lead to either a cessation in the secretion of acid, or in the hypersecretion of acid. In the latter over 30 million patients per year suffer from symptoms of acid related diseases with the numbers increasing yearly⁸⁻¹¹. Clinically the uncontrolled release or the continued hypersecretion of acid can lead to changes in both gastric and intestinal epithelium, but can in more serious cases lead to erosions of the esophagus that can result in metaplasia and death¹²⁻¹⁴. Recent evidence has also emerged that prolonged recurrent periods of hypersecretory states can lead to gastric carcinoid formation¹⁵.

In an attempt to design therapies to prevent hyperacid secretion a variety of approaches have been employed in recent years with two of the most successful being: a) inhibition of the Histamine receptor on the basolateral membrane of the parietal cell, b) proton pump specific drugs targeted against the H,K-ATPase (the so called proton pump inhibitors; PPI)¹⁶⁻¹⁸. Both of these therapies have greatly improved the quality of life for patients suffering from this disease, however there is an ever increasing number of patients that have experienced recurrent disease while still taking the drugs^(19, 20). Despite their high degree of efficacy and worldwide clinical use, failure in the treatment of acid related diseases has been reported and the degree and speed of onset of symptom relief are important to patients²¹. It has been estimated that about 30% of GERD patients remain symptomatic on standard dose of PPI²². Furthermore PPI's have a short plasma half life which often leads to nocturnal acid breakthrough²³. Therapeutic oral doses of PPIs reach steady state and thus achieve their maximal effective levels after 4-5 days with typical dosing regimens²⁴. This slow and cumulative onset of effect of PPIs relates to their ability to inhibit only those pumps which are active when the PPI drug is available. After PPI administration, there is a return of acid secretion that is partly due to de novo synthesis of the enzyme²⁵.

Zinc is an essential part of the diet that all cells require in order to maintain membrane integrity and function. Deficiency in intracellular zinc leads to apoptotic events, and cell death²⁶⁻³⁰. Previous studies have investigated the potential role of zinc in the proliferation and generation of the protective barrier, namely the mucous gel layer at the surface of the stomach³¹⁻³⁴. These studies falsely attributed the reduction in acid secretion to an increase in the thickness of the gel layer³³⁻³⁵.

Gastric acid aids protein digestion; facilitates the absorption of iron, calcium, and vitamin B12; and prevents bacterial overgrowth. When levels of acid and proteolytic enzymes overwhelm the mucosal defense mechanisms, ulcers occur. To avoid damage that is associated with these harsh conditions, gastric acid must be finely regulated by overlapping neural (e.g. acetylcholine), hormonal (e.g. gastrin and ghrelin), and paracrine (e.g. histamine and somatostatin) pathways, and more recently via the Calcium Sensing Receptor. Any long term alterations in any of these regulatory pathways leads to cell and tissue destruction and clinical manifestations such as peptic ulcer diseases, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Two methods are commonly employed to treat the overproduction of acid: a) surgically, by elimination of the neuronal element (vagotomy) or b) pharmacologically, either through histamine 2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) or a combination of both.

PPI's such as omeprazole are irreversible inhibitors of the gastric H+/K+-ATPase, recently various derivatives of the parent compound omeprazole that bind to multiple cysteine residues on the exofacial surface of the H+/K+-ATPase have been developed in hopes of having a tighter molecular binding, and longer action have been employed. Both rabeprazole, and lansoprazole are examples of these multiple binding drugs and are activated in the acidic lumen of the gastric gland and modify the cysteine residues located on the luminal surface of the H+/K+-ATPase. In the resting cell the acid secreting pumps are internalized in a system of tubular vesicles, and are in such a conformational state that the PPIs can only inhibit the H+/K+-ATPases which have already been activated and transferred to the apical surface of the parietal cell.

Although optimizing pharmacological profiles within the PPI class may provide some clinical benefit, other areas of research may prove to be more fruitful and furthermore the fine tuning of the acid secretory process is still not completely understood and remains an important target for therapies to modulate gastric acid secretion.

Zinc is required for a large number of biological processes including gene expression, replication, membrane stability, hormonal storage and release and as a catalytic component for enzymes. There has been no investigation of the actions of zinc at the cellular level relating to effects on acid secretion.

Helicobacter pylorus resides within the mucous layer of the human gastric mucosa. Due to extremely low pH, the stomach is a hostile environment to most other microorganisms. The ability of H. pylori to flourish in the stomach has been attributed to protective mechanisms such as its production of urease, protecting the bacterium from gastric acidity by creating a basic microenvironment, See, Taylor and Blaser, Epidemiol Rev, 13:42-59, (1991).

The stomach is a large organ that can be divided into 3 main zones that are involved in the process of digestion of foodstuff and the sterilization of liquids and water. When defining the functional process of the stomach it has been commonly divided into two zones: Upper Stomach, and Lower Stomach. The upper stomach, is thought to be composed of the fundus and upper body, and shows low frequency, sustained contractions that are responsible for generating a basal pressure within the stomach. Of note is that these tonic contractions also generate a pressure gradient from the stomach to small intestine and are responsible for gastric emptying. Interestingly, when swallowing food and the consequent gastric distention that occurs acts to inhibits contraction of this region of the stomach, allowing it to balloon out forming a large reservoir without a significant increase in pressure. The lower stomach is thought to be involved in the grinding and liquefaction of the foodstuffs by the secretion of HCl from the parietal cells found in this section of the stomach.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-E shows the original tracing of basal acid secretion, histamine induced acid secretion and inhibition by ZnCl₂. Single human and rat gastric glands were isolated, loaded with the pH-sensitive dye BCECF to measure intracellular pH over single parietal cells and the pH_(i) recovery rate was calculated from the slope after an acid load using the NH₄Cl prepulse technique. (A,C) Intracellular alkalinization stimulated by histamine (100 μM) in the absence of extracellular Na⁺ as a function of H⁺/K⁺-ATPase in gastric glands. (B,D) Histamine induced proton efflux from gastric glands can be blocked by 300 umol ZnCl₂. (E) Bar graph summarizing data as means SE (control: n=32 cells, 3 gland, 3 animals; histamine: n=120 cells, 15 glands, 8 animals; histamine+ZnCl₂: n=60 cells, 6 gland, 4 animals).

FIG. 2 shows that ZnCl₂ inhibits acid secretion in a dose dependent manner. ZnCl₂ concentration dependence of H⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity (intracellular alkalinization expressed as ΔpH/min) in the presence of 100 μmol histamine in comparison to basal and histamine induced acid secretion. (n=40 cells, 3-4 glands, 3-4 animals for each ZnCl₂ concentration).

FIG. 3 show the fast onset inhibitory effect and reversibility with ZnCl₂. (A) original tracing shows the fast inhibitory effect of ZnCl₂ on histamine induced acid secretion. Histamine (100 μM) was added through the whole experiment. When the intracellular alkalinization (protonefflux) was observed, ZnCl₂ (300 μM) was added to the superfusion bath. The acid secretion was abolished after a few seconds (flat middle part). After the removal of ZnCl₂ out of the perfusion bath the drug was washed out and the increase of the intracellular pH continued. (B) Original tracing shows the reversibility after the cells where incubated and superfused over 20 min with ZnCl₂ (300 μM) and histamine (100 μM). After removal of ZnCl₂ out of the superfusion bath the intracellular alkalinization (proton extrusion) occur.

FIG. 4 shows acid secretion after oral ZnCl₂ application. 300 μmol ZnCl₂ was added to the drinking water. Animals ate and drank as much as control animals. Prior the experiment they were fasted for 12-18 hours. The histamine induced acid secretion was measured as described before. The cells of the ZnCl₂ treated animals showed a lower rate of proton efflux. 150 mg/kg/d: 0.022±0.0045; (n=60 cells, 10 glands, 3 animals), 0.05 mg/kg/d: 0.034±0.0036; (n=60 cells, 6 glands, 4 animals).

FIG. 5 shows that ZnCl₂ inhibits gastric acid secretion in freshly isolated rat whole stomach preparation. Ex vivo rat whole stomach preparations were incubated in HEPES-buffered Ringer solution (control: n=9), HEPES-buffered Ringer solution plus 100 μM histamine (n=8), or HEPES-buffered Ringer solution plus 100 μmol histamine and 300 μmol ZnCl₂ (n=8). Stomach preparations incubated with histamine and ZnCl2 had a higher pH than those in HEPES-buffered Ringer solution and histamine and their pH was similar to the pH of the control stomach.

FIG. 6 shows measurements of whole stomach intraluminal pH using a number of zinc salts according to the present invention. Isolated whole stomach preparations from rats were cannulated at the esophageal and duodenal junction and perfused in vitro with 37° C. pH 7.4 Ringers solution. The blood perfusate was then exposed to 100 μM Histamine to induce acid secretion. The lumen of the stomach was infused with 0.5 cc of non-buffered isotonic saline. In some studies one of the following zinc salts was added to the lumen perfusate at a final concentration of 300 μM (zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc citrate). The data are the sum of 5 separate stomachs from 5 separate animals for each of the columns. Data are the mean of all studies with the standard error of the mean displayed.

FIGS. 7A-C show the immunohistochemistry in rat stomach fundus. (A) Immunolocalization of the gastric H⁺, K⁺-ATPase α subunit in rat fundic gland parietal cells (40×). (B) Fundic parietal cell Electron Microscopy of Gold Tagged H⁺, K⁺-ATPase protein. Here the nucleus, apical membrane and canaliculus like structure can be seen (8,000×). (C) Higher magnification (25,000×) of the same cell. Here the gold tagged H⁺, K⁺-ATPase protein can be seen distributed at the borders of the canaliculus like structure (arrows). (In this figure: n=nucleus, c=canaliculus like structure, am=apical membrane)

FIGS. 8A-D show the original tracing of basal acid secretion and histamine induced acid secretion in the gastric fundus and corpus. Single rat gastric glands were isolated, loaded with pH sensitive dye BCECF to measure intracellular pH of single parietal cells and the pHi recovery rate was calculated from the slope after an acid load using the NH₄CL prepulse technique. (A) Original tracing of an F1 gland alkalinization (proton efflux) after removing Na⁺ out of the perfusion bath. (B) Intracellular alkalinization of an F1 gland stimulated by histamine (100 μM) in the absence of extracellular Na⁺ as a function of H⁺, K⁺-ATPase. (C) Tracing of a corpus gland alkalinization under resting condition. (D) Intracellular alkalinization of an corpus gland stimulated by histamine (100 μM) in the absence of extracellular Na⁺ as a function of H⁺, K⁺-ATPase.

FIG. 9 shows a secretagogue series of F1 glands F1 gland under basal condition with no stimulation shows alkalinization rates of 0.039 ΔpH_(i)/min±0.009 (n=52 cells/8 glands/5 animals). In the presence of 100 μM histamine recovery rates were 0.042±0.007 Δ pH_(i)/min (n=64 cells/8 glands/6 animals). In the presence of 100 μM acetylcholine F1 glands alkalinized at a rate of 0.075±0.0015 ΔpH_(i)/min (n=86 cells/10 glands/6 animals). In the presence of 100 μM pentagastrin F1 glands show alkalinization rates of 0.062±0.007 ΔpH_(i)/min (n=49 cells/6 glands/5 animals).

FIGS. 10A-D shows original tracing of acid secretion comparing F1 glands and Corpus glands with Omeprazole and AZD0865 Single rat gastric glands were isolated, loaded with the pH sensitive dye BCECF to measure intracellular pH over single parietal cells and the pHi recovery rate was calculated from the slope after an acid load using NH₄CL prepulse technique as described previously. (A) Original tracing of an intracellular pH measurement demonstrating a F1 gland alkalinization after stimulation by histamine (100 μM). This tracing shows that omeprazole (200 μM) does not inhibit acid secretion in F1 glands. (B) Corpus gland tracing of intracellular alkalinization after stimulation with histamine (100 μM). This tracing shows that Omeprazole (200 μmolar) inhibits acid secretion in the corpus with a intracellular alkalinization rate of (0.014±0.002 ΔpH_(i)/min. (C) Intracellular tracing of pH measurements demonstrating that AZD0865 does not completely inhibit proton extrusion in the fundus as it does in the corpus. In fundic glands which have been exposed to 10 μM of AZD0865 the intracellular recovery is 0.031±0.006 ΔpH_(i)/min. (D) In the corpus AZD0865 shows strong inhibition of potassium dependant recovery with intracellular alkalinization rates of 0.021±0.008 ΔpH_(i)/min.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods for the rapid inhibition of acid secretion that has little to no potential for side effects. In a first aspect, the present invention relates to zinc compositions comprising at least one pharmaceutically compatible zinc salt (preferably a water soluble salt) in an effective amount which produces a rapid decrease (i.e., within a period of no greater than about 5 minutes, no greater than about 10 minutes, no greater than about 20 minutes, no greater than about 30 minutes, no greater than one hour) of acid secretion in a patient's stomach with a resulting increase (elevation) in stomach pH to an intragastric pH level of at least about 3.0-3.5, at least about 4.0, about 4.0 to about 5.0. In this aspect of the invention, a patient who is in need of an increase of stomach pH is treated with an effective amount of a pharmaceutically compatible zinc salt such that rapid onset of elevated pH within the stomach occurs. This method invention relies on the administration (preferably by, but not limited to, ingestion) of an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically compatible, preferably water-soluble zinc salt and in which a substantial portion dissolves in the gastric juices at low pH (generally less than about 2.0) and preferably within a range pH from low pH (about 1.0 to about 2.0) to higher pH (about 5.5 to about 7.5 or higher) such that effective amounts of zinc salt may be administered to provide an initial rapid inhibition of acid release and a subsequent maintenance of inhibition of acid release in the stomach. In the present invention, inhibition of gastric acid is inhibited preferably within a rapid period of about 20 minutes to about 1 hour (generally, within a period no greater than about 5 minutes, within a period no greater than about 10 minutes or within a period no greater than about 20 minutes, within a period no greater than about 30 minutes, within a period no greater than about one hour).

The rapid decrease of acid secretion in the patient's stomach occurs throughout the stomach (in both the upper stomach and lower stomach through inhibition of H+/K+-ATPase), although localized effects of compounds according to the present invention in the upper stomach, especially in the fundic region of the stomach (through inhibition of a second distinguishable protein H+-ATPase) and/or the upper body of the upper stomach (through inhibition of H+/K+-ATPase). Thus, an additional aspect of the invention is directed to the use of effective amounts of pharmaceutically acceptable zinc compounds for the inhibition of H+/K+-ATPase (generally throughout the stomach, H+-ATPase (primarily in the fundic region of the stomach) and preferably both. The finding that the present compounds may be used to inhibit H+-ATPase in the fundic region has important clinical ramifications for the following reasons:

1) The erosion of the esophagus by exposure to acid has life threatening consequences due to either internal bleeding, ulceration, and or gastric carcinoid formation by the prolonged exposure to acid. Pursuant to the present invention, as is now demonstrated—glands in the fundus are in direct proximity to the esophageal juncture, that they will secrete acid and can be inhibited by compounds according to the present invention, thus making the present compounds particularly effective in treating GERD, NERD and related conditions. 2) There is an ever increasing number of patients that are becoming insensitive to PPI (proton pump inhibitors) and have recurrent symptoms of acid reflux disease. The protein that we identified in the fundic glands is not sensitive to PPI's and could be the reason that these patients do not respond to classical therapy. 3) Patients on PPI's for long periods of time appear to show some “rebound” acid secretion. This result could again be linked to the fundic H⁺-ATPase, which we show is sensitive to Histamine and to the levels of protons within the cell.

In preferred embodiments of this invention aspect, a single zinc salt which is water-soluble regardless of pH (i.e., within a range of pH from about 1.0 to about 7.5 or above) is preferred. Zinc chloride is the preferred salt for use in the present invention. In alternative embodiments, a mixture of a low pH soluble zinc salt with a high pH soluble zinc salt or a zinc salt which may be readily absorbed through the small intestine (such as a zinc amino acid chelate compound), optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer is provided. In this aspect of the invention, an effective amount of a zinc salt selected from the group consisting of zinc chloride (ZnCl₂), zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, a zinc amino acid chelate (mono- or bis-chleate) and mixtures thereof, preferably a mixture of zinc chloride and at least one of zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, zinc ascorbate, and a zinc amino acid chelate is provided alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, additive or excipient.

In various aspects, the present invention relates to the use of at least one water-soluble zinc salt alone or in combination with at least one compound/composition (within the context of the disease state or condition to be treated) selected from the group consisting of a traditional proton pump inhibitor compound/composition, an H2 blocker, an antibiotic/antimicrobial agent (effective against H. pylori), a cytoprotective agent or a mixture of these agents (Helidac, Prevpac) to provide fast action in reducing gastric acid secretion, to lower the pH of the stomach, to prevent or reduce the likelihood of ulcer disease, to treat ulcer disease, to treat gastric cancer, to treat a disease or condition selected from the group consisting of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZE disease), ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, as well as preventing or reducing the likelihood of ulcer disease.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a mixture of zinc salts which maximize both immediate and extended release characteristics of the present invention, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, additive or excipient and further optionally an effective amount of additional agent selected from the group consisting of a proton pump inhibitor, an H₂ blocker, an anti-H. pylori antibiotic/antimicrobial, a cytoprotective agent and a combination of agents, are additional aspects of the present invention. Any one or more of these compositions may be used within context to treat the various conditions/disease states as otherwise disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following terms are used throughout the specification to describe the present invention.

The term “patient” or “subject” refers to an animal, preferably a mammal, even more preferably a human, in need of treatment or therapy to which compounds according to the present invention are administered in order to treat a condition or disease state treatable using compounds according to the present invention. Depending upon the disease or condition treated the term patient refers to the animal treated for that disease within context.

The term “effective” is used to describe a treatment, compound, composition, component or a related aspect of the present invention, which, when used in context, produces an intended result which may include the increase in pH in the stomach, the reduction of symptoms associated with excess acid release or the favorable treatment of a disease state or condition. The term effective subsumes both an amount or concentration of one or more active agent(s) as described herein and a period of time which is consistent with producing an intended effect.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt” or zinc salt” used in context, refers to a salt or salt combination which contains zinc, dissolves in the gastric juices at reduced pH and is absorbed to some extent in the gastric mucosa at a low pH of about 2 or less, at a higher pH of about 4.0 to 5.0 or above of the stomach and at the high pH's of the small intestine to reach and maintain effective concentrations of zinc in the blood stream over a period of therapy. Exemplary pharmaceutically compatible zinc salts include both inorganic and organic zinc salts, for example, zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butyrate, zinc carbonate (soluble in dilute acid at low pH of the stomach), zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, and zinc amino acid chelates (including, depending on concentration, mono- and bis-chelates of L- or D-amino acids (preferably, the naturally occurring L-amino acid which may be more readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract) which complex or chelate with zinc including preferably, L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-N-acetylcysteine, L-histidine (also D-histidine), L-taurine, L-glycinate, L-aspartate and L-methionine, among others. Note that for purposes of the present invention, zinc amino acid chelates are considered zinc salts. Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt is water-soluble.

One of ordinary skill will recognize favorable zinc salts to use in the present invention. In aspects of the invention, at least one pharmaceutically compatible, water-soluble zinc salt is administered to a patient in order to provide a rapid inhibition of acid release in the stomach, resulting in an increase in stomach pH to above 4 (generally between about 4.0 and 5.0, in some cases above 5.0) for an extended period of time, preferably at least 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 10 hours, 12 hours, 16 hours, 20 hours or more. It is noted that in certain preferred aspects of the invention, the zinc salt or combination of salts chosen to be administered to the patient may be adjusted to provide an initial bolus concentration of zinc in the stomach at low pH in order to produce the rapid inhibition of acid release and rise in pH in the stomach to a level above about 4. In addition, a preferred zinc salt or salt combination inhibits acid release in the stomach at varying levels of acidity and pH—i.e., at a level which is quit acidic (pH, less than about 2.0) to a pH of about 4.0 or higher.

The term “providing fast action in reducing gastric acid secretion” is used to describe the fact that the method according to the present invention results in an increase in pH to a level of at least about 4.0, more preferably about 4.0 to about 5.0 or slightly above, in a period of no greater than about 30 minutes, preferably in less than about 20-30 minutes, even more preferably in less than about 10-20 minutes, in about 15 minutes or less or alternatively, in less than about 5 minutes.

The term “secretagogue” refers to the period during which time the parental cells of the stomach secrete acid into the gastric juices to lower pH. Often the secretagogue period occurs just after a meal, but the secretion of acid may occur at other times. The secretagogue phase can be of short duration or longer duration.

The term gastroesophageal reflux disease or “GERD” or “acid reflux” is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up, or refluxes) into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus although this occurs in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. Acid is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed liquid. Pepsin and bile also may injure the esophagus, but their role in the production of esophageal inflammation and damage (esophagitis) is not as clear as is the role of acid.

GERD is a chronic condition. Once it begins, it usually is life-long. If there is injury to the lining of the esophagus (esophagitis), this also is a chronic condition. Moreover, after the esophagus has healed with treatment and treatment is stopped, the injury will return in most patients within a few months. Once treatment for GERD is begun, therefore, it may be necessary to continue the treatment continually, generally for short periods of time.

Actually, the reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most normal individuals. In fact, one study found that reflux occurs as frequently in normal individuals as in patients with GERD. In patients with GERD, however, the refluxed liquid contains acid more often, and the acid remains in the esophagus longer.

Gravity, swallowing, and saliva are important protective mechanisms for the esophagus, but they are effective only when individuals are in the upright position. At night while sleeping, gravity is not in effect, swallowing stops, and the secretion of saliva is reduced. Therefore, reflux that occurs at night is more likely to result in acid remaining in the esophagus longer and causing greater damage to the esophagus.

Certain conditions make a person susceptible to GERD. For example, reflux can be a serious problem during pregnancy. The elevated hormone levels of pregnancy probably cause reflux by lowering the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter (see below). At the same time, the growing fetus increases the pressure in the abdomen. Both of these effects would be expected to increase reflux. Also, patients with diseases that weaken the esophageal muscles (see below), such as scleroderma or mixed connective tissue diseases, are more prone to develop reflux.

The cause of GERD is complex. There probably are multiple causes, and different causes may be operative in different individuals or even in the same individual at various times. A number of patients with GERD produce abnormally large amounts of acid, but this is uncommon and not a contributing factor in the vast majority of patients. The factors that contribute to causing GERD are the lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernias, esophageal contractions, and emptying of the stomach. Notwithstanding the cause of GERD, the present invention may reduce the tendency of having injurious acid reflux into the esophagus, causing damage.

When the wave of contraction in the esophagus is defective, refluxed acid is not pushed back into the stomach. In patients with GERD, several abnormalities of contraction have been described. For example, waves of contraction may not begin after each swallow or the waves of contraction may die out before they reach the stomach. Also, the pressure generated by the contractions may be too weak to push the acid back into the stomach. Such abnormalities of contraction, which reduce the clearance of acid from the esophagus, are found frequently in patients with GERD. In fact, they are found most frequently in those patients with the most severe GERD. The effects of abnormal esophageal contractions would be expected to be worse at night when gravity is not helping to return refluxed acid to the stomach. Note that smoking also substantially reduces the clearance of acid from the esophagus. This effect continues for at least 6 hours after the last cigarette.

Most reflux during the day occurs after meals. This reflux probably is due to transient LES relaxations that are caused by distention of the stomach with food. A minority of patients with GERD, about 20%, has been found to have stomachs that empty abnormally slowly after a meal. The slower emptying of the stomach prolongs the distention of the stomach with food after meals. Therefore, the slower emptying prolongs the period of time during which reflux is more likely to occur.

The term “non-erosive reflux disease” or “NERD” is used describe a specific form of GERD, described above. In some cases, GERD erodes the esophageal lining, creating a condition called esophagitis. NERD is GERD that does not cause esophagitis. Because most GERD sufferers do not have esophagitis, NERD is the most common form of GERD. Because its name contains the word “nonerosive,” it may appear that NERD is the least severe form of GERD, but this is not necessarily so. NERD is actually more likely to produce extra-esophageal complications, and is also less likely to respond to find oplication surgery. In one study, only 56% of NERD patients (compared with 90% of patients with erosive reflux) reported that their symptoms were completely eliminated with fundoplication. NERD was also twice as likely to cause swallowing difficulties.

Heartburn is the chief symptom of NERD. It has a number of potential causes, including hiatal hernia, lifestyle behaviors, and diet. Many people deal with heartburn by simply adjusting their behavior. In some cases, medication or surgery may be required. Traditional antacids have also been used to treat NERD.

The term “Zollinger-Ellison syndrome” or “ZE syndrome” is used throughout the specification to describe a condition caused by abnormal production of the hormone gastrin. In ZE syndrome, small tumor (gastinoma) in the pancreas or small intestine produces the high levels of gastrin in the blood. ZE syndrome is caused by tumors usually found in the head of the pancreas and the upper small bowel. These tumors produce the hormone gastrin and are called gastrinomas. High levels of gastrin cause overproduction of stomach acid. High stomach acid levels lead to multiple ulcers in the stomach and small bowel. Patients with ZE syndrome may experience abdominal pain and diarrhea. The diagnosis is also suspected in patients without symptoms who have severe ulceration of the stomach and small bowel.

The agents of choice for treating ZE syndrome are the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) as described hereinabove. These drugs dramatically reduce acid production by the stomach, and promote healing of ulcers in the stomach and small bowel. They also provide relief of abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Surgical removal of a single gastrinoma may be attempted if there is no evidence that it has spread to other organs (such as lymph nodes or the liver). Surgery on the stomach (gastrectomy) to control acid production is rarely necessary today. Early diagnosis and surgical removal of the tumor is associated with a cure rate of only 20% to 25%. However, gastrinomas grow slowly, and patients may live for many years after the tumor is discovered. Acid-suppressing medications are very effective at controlling the symptoms of acid overproduction.

The term “ulcer” is used throughout the specification to describe an area of tissue erosion, for example, especially of the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, especially of the stomach (peptic ulcer), esophagus or small intestine (duodenal ulcer). Due to the erosion, an ulcer is concave. It is always depressed below the level of the surrounding tissue. Ulcers can have diverse causes, but in the GI tract, they are believed to be primarily due to infection with the bacteria H. pyloridus (h. pylori). GI ulcers, however, may be made worse by stress, smoking and other noninfectious factors, especially including excessive stomach acid because a lower pH tends to be a better growth environment for H. Pyloridus.

Traditional treatments for H. pyloridus infections include antimicrobials/antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin (biaxin), metronidazole (flagyl) and tetracycline (“an anti-H. pylori agent”); H₂-blockers, such as cimetidine (tagamet), famotidine (pepcid), nizatidine (axid), ranitidine (zantac); proton pump inhibitors (PPI), such as esomeprazole (nexium), lansoprazole (prevacid), omeprazole (prilosec), pantoprazole (protonix) and rabeprazole (aciphex); cytoprotective agents, such as bismuth subsalicylate, sucralfate; and combination agents, such as Helidac (bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline combination), Prevpac (lansoprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin).

The present invention may be used to treat an H. pyloridus infection in a patient by administering an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble zinc salt, either alone or in combination (preferably, by coadministration) with at least one other of the traditional treatment modalities, as described above.

The term “coadministration” or “combination therapy” is used to describe a therapy in which at least two active compounds in effective amounts are used to treat one or more of the disease states or conditions as otherwise described herein at the same time. Although the term coadministration preferably includes the administration of two active compounds to the patient at the same time, it is not necessary that the compounds be administered to the patient at the same time, although effective amounts of the individual compounds will be present in the patient at the same time. The active compositions may include one or more zinc salts and/or additional compounds/compositions such as proton pump inhibitors, H₂ blockers, antibiotics/antimicrobial agents, cytoprotective agents or combination agents as otherwise described herein in effective amounts for the disease or condition for which the compounds are typically used.

The term “proton pump inhibitor” is used throughout the specification to describe Proton pump inhibitors as drugs that help control the painful discomfort of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and promote the healing of stomach and duodenal ulcers. Proton pump inhibitors are only available by prescription. They come as tablets, capsules, injections, or powders that are made into a suspension.

Proton inhibitors work by blocking the production of stomach acid. They inhibit a system in the stomach known as the proton pump, which is another name for the “hydrogen-potassium adenosine triphosphate enzyme” system. Proton pump inhibitors are rather versatile. They are used to heal stomach and duodenal ulcers, including stomach ulcers caused by taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are also used to relieve symptoms of esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus or gullet) and severe gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), as discussed above.

Combined with certain antibiotics (such as amoxycillin and clarithromycin) or with zinc salts according to the present invention, proton pump inhibitors are effective for treating Helicobacter pylori infections (a bacterial infection of the stomach). The H. pylori bacterium is a chief suspect in the cause of recurring stomach ulcers. PPIs are also a first-choice treatment for the rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, discussed above.

Proton Pump Inhibitors exhibit side effects, although they tend to be manageable, including diarrhea, feeling or being sick, constipation, flatulence, abdominal pain, headaches and more rarely, allergic reactions, itching, dizziness, swollen ankles, muscle and joint pain, blurred vision, depression and dry mouth, among others. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors can result in stomach infections. Because proton pump inhibitors completely stop acid production—and stomach acid helps kill microbes such as bacteria in the stomach—using PPIs can lead to growth of potentially harmful microbes in the stomach.

Proton pump inhibitors exhibit significant, sometimes deleterious drug interactions, including reactions with phenytoin as an epilepsy agent and warfarin to prevent blood clots, to increase their effects, with ketoconazole and itraconazole to reduce their absorptivity, with diazepam (valium) to decrease its metabolism.

Proton pump inhibitors are usually taken for 1-2 months, but in some cases may be taken longer. Symptoms may return when a person stops taking a proton pump inhibitor. Proton pump inhibitors may cause internal bleeding, signs of which include vomiting blood, detecting a substance-like coffee grounds in your vomit, or pass black tarry stools, see your doctor immediately.

Common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix) and rabeprazole sodium (Aciphex).

The present invention relates to a method for providing fast action with optional long duration effect in reducing gastric acid secretion, raising the pH of the stomach during a resting phase, decreasing the duration of stomach acid release during a secretagogue phase and for treating conditions including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZE disease), ulcer disease, and gastric cancer where the reduction in gastric acid secretion is beneficial, as well as preventing or reducing the likelihood of ulcer disease by reducing gastric acid section. In addition, the present methods are useful for treating patients who are non-responsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and as an alternative to traditional therapies or conditions which are caused by rapid and complete inhibition of secretagogue induced acid secretion.

The method comprises administering an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble zinc salt to alleviate or treat the condition or disease state. The methods may involve the administration of a water-soluble zinc salt alone or in combination with other agents as disclosed herein a single time, or preferably for longer duration, usually about 2-3 days to about 2-3 months, with varying intervals in between, depending upon the prognosis and outcome of the treatment.

Zinc salts according to the present invention may be administered alone or in combination with other compounds, compositions or therapies, depending upon the condition or disease state to be treated, including an effective amount of a proton pump inhibitor or other agent as otherwise described herein which may be used to treat H. pylori infections. These agents include proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole or rabeprazole, H2 blockers such as cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine or ranitidine, anti-H. pylori agents, such amoxicillin, clarithromycin (biaxin), metronidazole (flagyl) or tetracycline, cytoprotective agents such as bismuth subsalicylate or sucralfate, or a combination agent such as Helidac or Prevpac.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, at least one water-soluble zinc salt is used wherein the zinc salt or combination is characterized as being soluble and absorbable (through the gastrointestinal mucosa) at both low pH (i.e., a pH of about 1-2, which occurs in an acidic condition in the stomach) and higher pH (i.e., a pH of about 4-5 or slightly above after acid secretion in the stomach is inhibited or even higher—i.e., a pH of about 5.5-6.0 in the duodenum to about 6.5-7.5 in the jejunum and ileum—the pH is slightly higher in the ileum than in the jejunum). By providing for compositions which are both water-soluble and absorbable throughout the gastrointestinal mucosa (i.e. in the stomach and through the various sections of the small intestine), the bioavailability of the zinc salt will be maximized as will favorable therapy of the conditions or disease states to be treated. In this aspect, a combination of effective amounts of zinc chloride and at least one zinc salt selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, zinc ascorbate and a zinc amino acid chelate (as mono- or bis-amino acid chelate) is preferred, although numerous other zinc acid compounds may be combined to produce favorable results.

Preferred zinc salts include those salts in which the anionic counterion in protonated form has a pKa of at least about 4 to about 5.5 or higher. Mixtures of zinc salts wherein all of the zinc salts are soluble within a range of pH from 1-2 to about 7.5 are preferred. Zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycolate and zinc ascorbate alone or in combination with another zinc salt, especially zinc chloride, are particularly useful for use in the present invention. Zinc amino acid chelates (mono- or bis-amino acid chelates) may also be preferably used wherein a combination of zinc chloride and a zinc amino acid chelate selected from the group consisting of zinc chelates (mono- or bis-chelates) of L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-N-acetylcysteine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-taurine, L-glycinate, L-aspartate, L-methionine, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred zinc salts according to the invention include zinc chloride (where pKa of the counterion is not important because of its interaction with chloride channels) and organic acids including zinc acetate (pka 4.75), zinc gluconate, and zinc ascorbate (pka of 4.2 and 11.6). In addition, zinc glycolate and zinc lactate may also be used preferably, zinc glycolate being preferred. It is preferred that when a combination of zinc salts is used that at least one zinc salt which is effective at low pH in the stomach (for immediate inhibition of acid secretion) be combined with an agent which may exhibit a heightened effect in the stomach at a pH of 4-05.0 or higher, or which is preferentially absorbed in the small intestine (a zinc mono- or bis-amino acid chelate).

While not being limited by way of theory, it is believed that a combination of a zinc salt which is effective at low pH in the stomach (such as zinc chloride and also zinc sulfate) and one or more of the organic acid zinc salts which are effective at a higher pH, will maximize delivery of zinc to the stomach mucosa to obtain a favorable effect, at first by being dissolved in acid gastric juice in the stomach where an initial inhibition of acid occurs and the pH rises, and subsequently, through absorption of zinc (from a zinc salt) at a higher pH in the stomach or in the small intestine where blood levels of zinc will increase to therapeutic levels. The absorption and effect of a zinc salt at higher pH levels in the stomach or at the higher pH of the small intestine (5.5-7.5 or higher) is advantageous because this delayed absorption of zinc will reduce gastric acid secretion at a later time (than an initial effect at a low pH) over an extended period of time. Compositions according to the present invention may be administered a single time, but usually are administered preferably once or twice daily orally for a period ranging from about 2-3 days to several months or longer.

Compositions according to the present invention also relate to sustained or extended release formulations which comprise a first component which allows or facilitates fast dissolution in the gastric juices at low pH so that a rapid inhibition of acid secretion is effected (with concombinant increase in pH to a level of about 4.0 to about 5.0 or higher) and a second component which releases zinc salt at the higher pH level in the stomach or more preferably, further in the small intestine on a sustained release basis in order to maintain an effective level of zinc in the blood stream to inhibit gastric acid secretion in the stomach for extended periods. The first fast-acting component may be readily formulated using a zinc salt which dissolves in gastric juice at low pH (e.g., zinc chloride or zinc sulfate at a pH about 1.0 to about 2.0) using standard excipients such as lactose, confectioner's sugar in powered form, various stearate salts, etc, which dissolves rapidly in the stomach and a second sustained or extended release formulation which makes us of any number of polymeric binders, matrices (polymeric and/or erodible), granules, or enteric coatings to allow release of zinc salt on an extended or sustained release basis in the small intestine. Many of these techniques are well known in the art. Exemplary patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,741 to Becker, U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,967 to Newton, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,556 to MacFarlane, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,128 to Morella, et al., among numerous others, may be useful for providing teachings, all well known in the art, for formulating fast release/sustained or extended release formulations useful in the present invention.

The above formulations may be useful for providing enhanced bioavailability of one or more zinc salts and optionally, other agents which may be useful in treating or reducing the likelihood of one or more of gastric ulcers, GERD, NERD, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, gastric cancer and reducing/inhibiting the secretion of acid in the stomach and raising the pH of the stomach to about 4.0 to about 5.0 or more, as otherwise disclosed in the present invention. It is noted that in inhibiting acid secretion in the stomach, blood concentrations of zinc salt of about 100 micromolar (μmol) produce inhibition of about 70%. With 300 μmol concentration of zinc salt, the inhibition approaches 100%. The time of action of inhibition from the blood delivery side at 100 μmol or 300 μmol is immediate (i.e., as soon as the zinc salt comes into contact with the cell membrane, inhibition occurs. It may be shown that inhibition occurs within about 10-15 minutes to 1 about hour in the presence of secretagogue. The zinc salts may be administered orally (preferably no more than once or twice a day) or intravenously, alone or in combination with optional PPI drugs.

The use of zinc chloride alone, or in combination with at least one additional zinc salt as otherwise described herein is preferred. Additional preferred zinc salts include zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, zinc ascorbate and zinc amino acid chelates (mono- and bis-amino acid chelates). These zinc salts and combinations may be used alone or in combination with additional agents such as a proton pump inhibitor (esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole or rabeprazole), an H2 blocker (cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine or ranitidine), an anti-H. pylori agent (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole or tetracycline), a cytoprotective agent such as bismuth subsalicylate or sucralfate, or a combination agent such as Helidac or Prevpac.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt alone, or preferably in combination with at least one other zinc salt or an effective amount of a traditional proton pump inhibitor such as such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole or rabeprazole, an H2 blocker such as cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine or ranitidine, an anti-H. pylori agent, such amoxicillin, clarithromycin (biaxin), metronidazole (flagyl) or tetracycline, a cytoprotective agent such as bismuth subsalicylate or sucralfate, or a combination agent such as Helidac or Prevpac, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, additive or excipient.

Pharmaceutical formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal and sub-lingual), vaginal or parenteral (including intramuscular, sub-cutaneous and intravenous) administration. Oral compositions or parenteral compositions (especially those for IV administration) are preferred. Compositions according to the present invention may also be presented as a bolus, electuary or paste. Tablets and capsules for oral administration may contain conventional excipients such as binding agents, fillers, lubricants, disintegrants, or wetting agents. The tablets may be coated according to methods well known in the art. Oral liquid preparations may be in the form of, for example, aqueous or oily suspensions, solutions, emulsions, syrups or elixirs, or may be presented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may contain conventional additives such as suspending agents, emulsifying agents, non-aqueous vehicles (which may include edible oils), or preservatives. When desired as discussed hereinabove, the present formulations may be adapted to provide sustained release characteristics of the active ingredient(s) in the composition using standard methods well-known in the art. A composition which provides an effective amount of initial dose of zinc salt in the gastric juice at low pH followed by extended release effects of zinc over a longer duration may be preferred.

In the pharmaceutical aspect according to the present invention, the compound(s) according to the present invention is formulated preferably in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In general, it is preferable to administer the pharmaceutical composition orally, but certain formulations may be preferably administered parenterally and in particular, in intravenous or intramuscular dosage form, as well as via other parenteral routes, such as transdermal, buccal, subcutaneous, suppository or other route, including via inhalation intranasally. Oral dosage forms are preferably administered in tablet or capsule (preferably, hard or soft gelatin) form. Intravenous and intramuscular formulations are preferably administered in sterile saline. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art may modify the formulations within the teachings of the specification to provide numerous formulations for a particular route of administration without rendering the compositions of the present invention unstable or compromising their therapeutic activity.

In particular, the present compounds are preferably readily water soluble and mixtures of water-soluble zincs may be used to effect an immediate release/sustained release pharmaceutical profile. This may maximize immediate effect and longer duration effect by simply choose the type of salt and adjusting the ratio of the zinc salt mixture accordingly. Of course, excipients can be chosen to affect the delivery and bioequivalence of the zinc salts used. It is well within the routineer's skill to modify the route of administration and dosage regimen of a particular compound in order to manage the pharmacokinetics of the present compounds for maximum beneficial effect to the patient.

Formulations containing the compounds of the invention may take the form of solid, semi-solid, lyophilized powder, or liquid dosage forms, such as, for example, tablets, capsules, powders, sustained-release formulations, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, suppositories, creams, ointments, lotions, aerosols or the like, preferably in unit dosage forms suitable for simple administration of precise dosages.

The compositions typically include a conventional pharmaceutical carrier or excipient and may additionally include other medicinal agents, carriers, and the like. Preferably, the composition will be about 0.05% to about 75-80% by weight of a zinc salt compound or compounds according to the invention, with the remainder consisting of suitable pharmaceutical additives, carriers and/or excipients. For oral administration, such excipients include pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, talcum, cellulose, glucose, gelatin, sucrose, magnesium carbonate, and the like. If desired, the composition may also contain minor amounts of non-toxic auxiliary substances such as wetting agents, emulsifying agents, or buffers.

Liquid compositions can be prepared by dissolving or dispersing the compounds (about 0.5% to about 20%), and optional pharmaceutical additives, in a carrier, such as, for example, aqueous saline, aqueous dextrose, glycerol, or ethanol, to form a solution or suspension. For use in oral liquid preparation, the composition may be prepared as a solution, suspension, emulsion, or syrup, being supplied either in liquid form or a dried form suitable for hydration in water or normal saline.

When the composition is employed in the form of solid preparations for oral administration, the preparations may be tablets, granules, powders, capsules or the like. In a tablet formulation, the composition is typically formulated with additives, e.g. an excipient such as a saccharide or cellulose preparation, a binder such as starch paste or methyl cellulose, a filler, a disintegrator, and other additives typically used in the manufacture of medical preparations.

An injectable composition for parenteral administration will typically contain the compound in a suitable i.v. solution, such as sterile physiological salt solution. The composition may also be formulated as a suspension in a lipid or phospholipid, in a liposomal suspension, or in an aqueous emulsion.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be administered by nasal aerosol or inhalation. Such compositions are prepared according to techniques well-known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline, employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other conventional solubilizing or dispersing agents.

Methods for preparing such dosage forms are known or will be apparent to those skilled in the art; for example, see “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” (17th Ed., Mack Pub. Co, 1985). The person of ordinary skill will take advantage of favorable pharmacokinetic parameters of the pro-drug forms of the present invention, where applicable, in delivering the present compounds to a patient suffering from a viral infection to maximize the intended effect of the compound.

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may also contain other active ingredients such as proton pump inhibitors, H₂ blockers, antimicrobial agents, cytoprotective agents or combination agents. In addition, compounds according to the present invention may also contain anti-cancer agents (to treat gastric cancer). Effective amounts or concentrations of each of the active compounds are to be included within the pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention.

The individual components of such combinations may be administered either sequentially or simultaneously in separate or combined pharmaceutical formulations.

When one or more of the compounds according to the present invention is used in combination with a second therapeutic agent active the dose of each compound may be either the same as or differ from that when the compound is used alone. Appropriate doses will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The following examples are used to describe the present invention. It is understood that they are merely exemplary and are understood not to limit the breadth of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLES

The stomach produces acid to help break down food, making it easier to digest. In some cases, stomach acid can actually irritate the lining of the stomach and the duodenum (top end of the small intestine). Sometimes the acid “refluxes” upwards and irritates the lining of the esophagus. Irritation of the lining of the stomach or the esophagus causes acid indigestion (heartburn) and sometimes causes ulcers or bleeding.

We show in this particular application that ZnCl₂ has a potent inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion at the cellular level by abolishing the activity of the gastric 20H⁺/K⁺-ATPase in rat and human gastric glands. We also demonstrate that addition of micromole concentrations of ZnCl₂ can effectively prevent histamine dependent acid secretion in whole rat stomachs and through a ZnCl₂ enriched diet.

Material and Methods

Animals. Sprague-Dawley rats 150-250 g (Charles River Laboratory)) were housed in climate- and humidity-controlled, light-cycled rooms, fed standard chow with free access to water, and handled according to the humane practices of animal care established by the Yale Animal Care. Prior to experiments, animals were fasted for 18-24 hours with free access to water.

Isolation of rat and human gastric Glands. Following removal of the stomach, the stomach was opened longitudinally and the corpus and antrum isolated and sliced into 0.5 cm square sections, and washed with cold Ringer solution to remove residual food particles. The tissues were transferred to the stage of a dissecting microscope. Individual glands were isolated using a hand-dissection technique as described previously³⁶. Following isolation, individual isolated glands were allowed to adhere to cover slips that had been pre-coated with Cell-Tak (Collaborative Research, Bedford, Mass.) and were transferred to the stage of an inverted microscope.

The human tissue was transferred from the OR in a HEPES-buffered Ringer solution. The tissue was stored on ice and immediately the isolated glands were dissected as described above.

Digital imaging for intracellular pH. Isolated gastric glands were incubated in a HEPES-buffered Ringer's solution containing either 10 μmol of the pH-sensitive dye BCECF-AM (2′,7′)-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxy-fluorescin, aceto-methyl ester (Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.) for 10 minutes as described previously³⁷⁻³⁹. Following dye-loading the chamber was flushed with a HEPES solution to remove all non-de-esterfied dye. The perfusion chamber was mounted on the stage of an inverted microscope (Olympus IX50), which was used in the epifluorescence mode with a 40× objective. BCECF was successively excited at 440 nm and 490 nm from a monochromator light source, and the resultant fluorescent signal was monitored at 535 nm using an intensified charge-coupled device camera. Individual regions of interest were outlined and simultaneously monitored every 15 sec. during the course of the experiment. A minimum of 8 cells or regions was selected per gland.

Proton extrusion by individual parietal cells was monitored by observing recovery of pH_(i) after acid loading the cells with Na⁺ free HEPES solution containing 20 mM NH₄Cl. Parietal cells were subsequently superfused with Na⁺ free HEPES, which abolished all Na⁺/H⁺ Exchanger (NHE) activity, trapping H⁺ within the cytosol and initiating an immediate drop in pHi. Under these conditions, the only potential H⁺ extrusion pathway is via the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase activation.

The intensity ratio data (490/440) were converted to pH values using the high K+/nigericin calibration technique⁴⁰. Intracellular pH recovery rates were calculated from the same initial starting pH to eliminate the potential variation in the individual intracellular buffering power of the cells under the different experimental conditions. All data including the individual images for all wavelengths were recorded to the hard disk which allowed us to return to the individual images after the experiment for further analysis. The recovery rates are expressed as the ΔpH/min, and were calculated over the pH range of 6.5-6.8. All chemicals were obtained from Sigma and Molecular Probes. All data were summarized as means±SE and were analysed by grouping measurements at baseline values.

Whole stomach pH measurements. Before the experiments animals were fasted for 24 h to reduce basal acid secretion to a consistent minimum. Animals were killed with an overdose of isoflurane and an abdominal incision was made. The stomach was ligated at the duodenal and esophageal junction and excised. Then 1 ml of non buffered, isotonic saline (140 mM) was infused into the lumen of the stomach. This volume did not distend the stomach, thus avoiding potential stimulation of acid secretion by stretch. The stomachs were then placed in either oxygenated HEPES-buffered Ringer solution or in the same solution containing 100 μM histamine alone or additionally 300 μM ZnCl₂ (pH 7.4) and maintained at 37° C. After 1 hour the stomach contents were aspirated and the pH was recorded.

Oral Zinc supplementation in rats. These studies were designed to modulate acid secretion by increasing dietary zinc. In these studies we used an oral ZnCl₂ solution (zinc chloride in tap water). The animals had free access to food and the zinc containing water for the duration of the study. 150 mg/kg/d or 0.5 mg/kg/d ZnCl₂ was added to the drinking water for 5 days. Animals had free access to water prior to the experiment and were fed with standard chow until 24 hours before the experiment, at which point they had free access to ZnCl₂ containing water only. After the 5 days exposure period and the 24 hour fast, the animals were sacrificed and a total gastrectomy was performed on the animals. Individual gastric glands were isolated with the hand dissection technique described above.

Results

Histamine induced acid secretion in human and rat is inhibited by ZnCl₂. In the first series pH_(i) measurements of single parietal cells within freshly isolated gastric glands were used to measure H⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity. The activity of the proton pump was calculated from the rate of alkalinization of pH_(i) (ΔpH_(i)/min) after acidification using the NH4Cl prepulse technique in the absence of sodium and bicarbonate. H⁺ extrusion under these conditions depends on the activity of the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, as previously shown⁴¹. In the absence of any stimulation, only a low rate of pHi recovery was observed (0.011±0.002 pH_(i) units/min, n=32 cells from 3 glands from 3 animals; FIG. 1E). After exposure of the rat gastric glands to histamine (100 μM), the alkalinization rate increased to 0.051±0.004 pH units/min (n=60 cells from 15 glands from 8 animals; FIG. 1A). Adding 300 μM ZnCl₂ to the superfusion bath in the presence of histamine (100 μM) prevented the stimulatory effect of histamine on the Na⁺-independent pH_(i) recovery rate (0.0012±0.004 pH units/min) and reduced it to the same level as seen in the control glands not exposed to histamine (n=60 cells from 6 glands from 4 animals); FIG. 1B). Human gastric glands showed also a robust proton efflux under histamine stimulation. This effect was abolished by ZnCl₂ (FIG. 1C, D); (n=26 cells, 3 glands). Thus the freshly isolated rat and human gastric glands showed H⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity that could be stimulated by histamine and inhibited by ZnCl₂.

ZnCl₂ inhibits rat acid secretion in a dose dependent manner. ZnCl₂ inhibited H⁺ extrusion in a dose dependent manner (FIG. 2). In this protocol acid secretion was stimulated by histamine and expressed as ΔpH_(i)/min. Therefore rat gastric glands were incubated with 100 μM histamine (15 min) and histamine was present throughout the entire experiment. To investigate the inhibitory potency of ZnCl₂ we used different concentrations (25 μM-300 μM). ZnCl₂ was present during the entire experiment, including the histamine incubation period of 15 min. 300 μM ZnCl₂ showed a 98% inhibition of proton extrusion compared to the Histamine induced rate and the control.

Fast onset and reversible inhibition of gastric acid secretion by ZnCl₂. There are irreversible (i.g. omeprazole) and reversible (P-CAB's) acid blockers available⁴². We investigate the reversibility of the inhibitory effect of ZnCl₂ in our in vitro setting. Thus we stimulated acid secretion with histamine (100 μM) during the entire experiment. When the intracellular alkalinization (acid secretion) was observed, ZnCl₂ (300 μM) was added to the superfusion bath. The acid secretion was abolished after a few seconds (FIG. 3 A). After the removal of ZnCl₂ in the same experiment acid secretion returns to normal levels. We were also able to demonstrate reversibility following incubation and superfusion of parietal cells over 20 min with ZnCl₂ (300 μM) and histamine (100 μM). After removal of ZnCl₂ from the superfusion bath the intracellular alkalinization (proton extrusion) proceeded at normal uninhibited rate (FIG. 3 B).

Oral Zinc supplementation reduces basal rat gastric acid secretion. These studies were designed to modulate acid secretion by increasing dietary zinc. 150 mg/kg/d or 0.5 mg/kg/d ZnCl₂ were added to the drinking water for 5 days. The H⁺ extrusion rate was measured with BCECF as described before. Histamine stimulated parietal cells showed a robust recovery rate (proton extrusion) of 0.051±0.004 (n=120 cells from 15 glands from 8 animals). FIG. 4 shows that the ZnCl₂ (150 mg/kg/d or 0.5 mg/kg/d) in the drinking water decreased the histamine induced acid secretion significantly in comparison to the control group with histamine alone. 150 mg/kg/d: 0.022±0.0045; (n=60 cells from 10 glands from 3 animals), 0.05 mg/kg/d: 0.034±0.0036; (n=60 cells from 6 glands from 4 animals).

ZnCl₂ decreased gastric acid production ex vivo. To determine whether ZnCl₂ could inhibit gastric acid secretion in the whole organ, we examined luminal pH in freshly isolated rat stomachs after incubation in HEPES or in the same solution the presence of 100 μM histamine or both, 100 μM histamine and 300 μM ZnCl₂. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the presence of histamine mean luminal pH was lower than in control stomach preparations incubated in HEPES alone (3.15±0.27 vs. 4.59±0.48, n=9 for each, P<0.005). In the presence of histamine and ZnCl₂ the luminal pH was nearly as high as in the control group without stimulation although this findings were not significant (4.54±0.065 vs. 4.59±0.48, n=8 each group, P>0.005).

Different Zinc Salts shows different efficacy in raising intraluminal pH. Measurements of whole stomach intraluminal pH using a number of zinc salts according to the present invention were made to assess effect of salt and concentration on intraluminal pH. Isolated whole stomach preparations from rats were cannulated at the esophageal and duodenal junction and perfused in vitro with 37° C. pH 7.4 Ringers solution. The blood perfusate was then exposed to 100 μM Histamine to induce acid secretion. The lumen of the stomach was infused with 0.5 cc of non-buffered isotonic saline. In some studies one of the following zinc salts was added to the lumen perfusate at a final concentration of 300 μM (zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc citrate). The data are the sum of 5 separate stomachs from 5 separate animals for each of the columns. Data are the mean of all studies with the standard error of the mean displayed. Those results appear in attached FIG. 6.

Discussion

In this study, we examined the dose dependent inhibition of gastric acid secretion by ZnCl₂ in human and rat gastric glands. Furthermore we tried to evaluate the onset of effect of ZnCl₂ and used whole stomach preparation as well as oral Zinc supplementation to investigate the effect on gastric acid secretion.

Acid secretion was induced by the classically known secretagogue histamine, which led to a robust proton extrusion via the H⁺,K⁺-ATPase in comparison to basal acid secretion in the resting, unstimulated gland (FIG. 1 e). In subsequent studies we examined the inhibitory effects of ZnCl₂ on secretagogue sensitive gastric acid secretion. We confirmed the inhibitory potency of ZnCl₂ (300 μM) on histamine induced acid secretion. ZnCl₂ inhibits acid secretion in the single gastric gland in a dose dependent manner. ZnCl₂ abolished proton extrusion to a level comparable to that of the control experiments in both, human and rat gastric glands (FIG. 1). This dose would be equivalent to 40 mg supplementation per day in humans. The daily recommended amount of Zinc intake is 11 mg. In the literature the amount considered to be toxic is 10 times higher. Therefore 40 mg of ZnCl₂ as an oral acid blocker would be significantly lower than reported toxic doses. In addition a similar amount of ZnCl₂ also prevented acid secretion in ex vivo whole stomach preparations (FIG. 5). In these experiments ZnCl₂ was applied to the luminal side of the stomach and it can thus be concluded that the metal ion is working directly on the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase of the parietal cell or enters the cell to modulate the signalling pathway of acid secretion. It remains unclear how ZnCl₂ enters the cell. Previous studies described Zinc entry into the cell through voltage dependent Ca²⁺-channels and/or the HCO₃/Cl⁻ exchanger on the basolateral membrane. Orally applied ZnCl₂ confirmed our previous results. Proton extrusion by ZnCl₂ treated rats was significant lower than acid secretion by our control group (FIG. 4). The control refers to histamine stimulated. In the figure, zinc treated glands are still higher than the control (non-histamine treated) alone.

As mentioned in the introduction proton pump inhibitors have a delayed onset of acute action and the full inhibitory effect is slow requiring several dose cycles. For example omeprazole reaches only 30% inhibition of acid secretion on the first day of treatment⁴³. Our study characterizes the rapid onset of action ZnCl₂ as well as its reversibility. Faster onset of effect and increased duration of action would offer improvement for patients with GERD and other acid related disorders. In fact as shown in FIG. 5 a we were able to inhibit histamine induced acid secretion during maximal proton extrusion by addition of 300 μM ZnCl₂. On the other hand histamine induced acid secretion continued after removal of ZnCl₂ from the superfusion bath demonstrating the reversible nature of ZnCl₂ (FIG. 3 b).

In summary our findings indicate that ZnCl₂ offer a more rapid and prolonged inhibition of gastric acid secretion. It is a reversible and fast acting inhibitor of acid secretion in single rat and human gastric glands and also in whole stomach preparations.

Such treatment may provide significant benefit to patients with GERD. Future studies investigating the exact mechanism by which ZnCl₂ inhibits acid secretion are necessary and will help define its future place in the treatment of acid related diseases in the clinical setting.

Fundic Region

In the following examples, it is shown that the fundic region of the stomach and the fundic glands contain functional acid secretory proteins. Furthermore, it is shown that the fundic glands have a sodium and potassium independent protein the proton ATPase commonly referred to as the Vacuolar H⁺-ATPase. The evidence consists of immunofluorescence data using a antibody directed against the a Subunit of the H⁺-ATPase and functional data (FIGS. 7-10) in which the extrusion rate of protons from these cells in the absence of Na and K is measured. Further there is evidence that this process is amplified in the presence of histamine a compound that was thought to only influence the gastric H,KATPase found in the parietal cells in the body of the stomach. This activity is demonstrated in both the rat model and in humans in gastric resections taken from patients undergoing gastric reduction surgery.

Materials and Methods Animals and Chemicals

Male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 200-300 g were housed in climate and humidity controlled, light cycled rooms and fed standard chow with free access to water. Prior to experiments, animals were fasted while allowing free access to water for 18-24 hours to reduce basal acid secretion. Following isoflurane anesthesia the animals were sacrificed, an abdominal incision was made exposing the stomach. After isolating the esophagus and duodenal junctures a total gastrectomy was performed with 1-2 cm of esophagus remaining attached to the gastrectomy. We included the esophageal juncture to have a common landmark for all fundic isolations. While holding the esophagus with forceps approximately 3 mm of fundus was removed with 5 mm of the intact esophagus.

Fundic Gland Isolation

The removed fundic tissue was placed in ice cold HEPES-buffered Ringer-solution (pH adjusted to 7.4 at 4° C.) and transferred to the stage of a dissection microscope. The fundic glands were visualized under the microscope at 50× magnification. Glands adjacent to the esophageal junction were hand dissected. Following isolation, individual glands were adhered to cover slips that had been pretreated with the biological adhesive Cell-Tak (Cell-Tak™ cell adhesive, BD Biosciences; Bedford, Mass.)

Immunohistochemistry/Immunofluorescence

Male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were anesthetized with pentobarbital i.p. and perfused through the left ventricle with PBS followed by paraformaldehyde-lysine-periodate (PLP) fixative as previously described^(19a). Stomachs were removed, cleaned from food residues, and fixed overnight at 4° C. by immersion in PLP. Stomachs were washed three times with PBS and sections were cut at a thickness of 5 μm after cryoprotection with 2.3 M in PBS for at least 12 h. Immunostaining was carried out as described previously^(20a). Sections were incubated with 1% SDS for 5 min., washed 3 times with PBS and incubated with PBS containing 1% bovine serum albumin for 15 min prior to the primary antibody. The primary antibodies (mouse monoclonal anti human β gastric H⁺, K⁺-ATPase (Affinity Bioreagents, CA, USA) diluted 1:50 in PBS and applied overnight at 4° C. Sections were then washed twice for 5 min with high NaCl PBS (PBS+2.7% NaCl), once with PBS, and incubated with the secondary antibody (donkey anti-rabbit Alexa 546, Molecular Probes, Oregon) at a dilution of 1:1000 for 1 h at room temperature. Sections were washed twice with high NaCl PBS and once with PBS before mounting with VectaMount (Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, Calif.). The specimens were viewed with a Nikon E-800 microscope.

ImmunoGold Labeling

Rats were anaesthetized using 5 ml of a 10% sodium pentobarbital given i.p. Fixation was done through a left ventricle cardiac perfusion using PBS and then PLP. The stomach was removed and fixed in PLP for 4 hours and then transferred to holding buffer overnight. Frozen and Epon sections of the gastro esophageal junction were made and slices were taken for gold labeling and electron microscopy.

Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining

Rats were anaesthetized using 5 ml of a 10% sodium pentobarbital given i.p. Fixation was done through a left ventricle cardiac perfusion using PBS to flush the animal and then Karnovsky Fixative for 2 hours and then in holding buffer overnight. A section of the gastro esophageal junction were made and slices taken for Electron Microscopy morphology of the H⁺, K⁺-ATPase protein and Hematoxylin/Eosin staining of the glands at the gastro esophageal junction.

Measurements of Intracellular pH (pH_(i)) Measurements of Isolated Fundic Glands

Using the same protocol that we developed for isolated corpus gland perfusion^(20a, 21a) individual fundic glands were loaded with a 10 μM concentration of the pH sensitive dye (BCECF, (2′7-bis(2-carbocyethal)-5-(and 6)-carboxyflurorescein-acetomethylester; Molecular Probes, OR USA)) for 15 minutes. Following the loading period, the perfusion chamber was mounted on the stage of an inverted microscope (Olympus IX50) attached to a digital imaging system (Universal Imaging Corp; Dowingtown, Pa.), and perfused with HEPES buffered Ringer-solution for 5 min at 37 C° to remove any unesterified dye. Measurements were performed in the epifluorescence mode with 60×/0.80 and 40×/0.90 objectives. BCECF was successively excited at 440±10 nm and 490±10 nm, the resultant intracellular fluorescent signal was monitored at 535 nm using an intensified charge-coupled device camera. Data points were acquired every 15 s. The resulting 490/440 intensity ratio data were converted to intracellular pH (pH_(i)) values using the high K⁺/Nigericin calibration technique^(22as, 22as). Acid extrusion was monitored in the absence of bicarbonate. The rate of intracellular alkalinization was measured after using the NH₄Cl-prepulse technique^(22a, 23a), which resulted in a reproducible and sustained intracellular acidification. Intracellular pH recovery rates (H⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity) were measured in Na⁺ free HEPES solutions containing: 1) 100 μM histamine 2) 100 μM pentagastrin. 3) 100 μM acetylcholine 4) 100 μM histamine+omeprazole at 100 μM and 200 μM concentrations.

Intracellular pH recovery rates were calculated from the same initial starting pH to eliminate the potential variation in the individual intracellular buffering power of the cells under the different experimental conditions. All data including the individual images for all wavelengths were recorded to the hard disk which allowed us to return to the individual images after the experiment for further analysis. The recovery rates are expressed as the ΔpH_(i)/min, and were calculated over the pH range of 6.5-6.9.

Activation of acid secretion via histamine, acetylcholine or pentagastrin was induced by preincubation of the glands for 15 min before the experiment combined with BCECF (100 μM) loading. All data are summarized as mean±S.E. Significance was determined using the one-way ANOVA test with p<0.05 considered to be statistically significant. All chemicals used were obtained from Sigma and Molecular Probes.

Results Immunohistochemical Localization of the H⁺, K⁺-ATPase

Immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies directed against highly conserved epitopes within either the α or β subunits of the gastric H⁺, K⁺-ATPase identified specific staining for both subunits in the fundic glands (FIG. 7 A).

Electron Microscopy

After obtaining Epon sections of fasted rat gastro esophageal junction Electron Microscopy was done on the gastric glands that came right after this junction and those we named F1 and used in all of our experiments. FIG. 7 B, C shows the gold tag localization to the H⁺, K⁺-ATPase in the parietal cell from the Fundic gland. We noticed a higher density of staining on the apical pole of the cell in the secretory or vacuolar canaliculi. This may correlate with the fundic regions high basal proton extrusion rates in comparison to the corpus due to the fact that the protein is always at the membrane in the fundic gland whereas in the corpus the receptor is inside the secretory canaliculus until stimulation.

H2 Receptor Staining

H2 receptor staining was done on both the fundus and corpus to examine the presence and density of the receptor in both the areas of the stomach. We found clear basolateral staining in the corpus glands and could not detect staining in the fundic glands. These results correlate with the lack of effect by histamine in stimulating fundic acid secretion. It was clearly seen that the H2 receptor is absent in the glands of the fundus and present in the corpus (data not shown)

Secretagogue Induced Acid Secretion

Intracellular pH was measured using the pH sensitive dye BCECF and monitored continuously using a real time fluorescence imaging system to identify changes in intracellular pH. Rates of proton efflux were calculated as ΔpH_(i)/min using a technique that was developed in our laboratory for corpus glands^(21a-25a). We measured the change in rate of efflux in the presence and absence of secretagogues.

Histamine Effect on Fundic and Corpus H⁺, K⁺-ATPase

We incubated individual glands with 100 μM histamine for 20 minutes. Histamine was present during the whole superfusion protocol. In the corpus gland we measured a histamine stimulated proton extrusion rate of 0.056±0.008 ΔpH_(i)/min whereas the basal acid secretion without any secretagogues was 0.011±0.002 ΔpH_(i)/min (FIG. 8C, D). In comparison to the corpus the fundus showed even under basal conditions a high proton extrusion rate (0.039±0.009 ΔpH_(i)/min). This is similar to the histamine induced acid secretion (0.04±0.0079 ΔpH_(i)/min, FIG. 8 A, B) This data shows that there is no effect of histamine on F1 zone glands in comparison to controls.

Acetylcholine and Fundic Acid Secretion

In the next series we investigated the functional properties of fundic glands according to the neuronal stimulation via ACH. In contrast to histamine there was a noticeable change in proton extrusion rates after stimulation. Although the controls were still actively pumping out protons the glands that were stimulated with 100 μM of acetylcholine for 20 minutes during the dye loading and throughout the perfusion. We determined that acetylcholine caused an increase in the rate of alkalinization (0.075±0.0015 ΔpH_(i)/min vs. controls 0.039±0.009 ΔpH_(i)/min) showing a direct effect of acetylcholine on fundic acid extrusion (FIG. 9).

Pentagastrin Effect on the F1 Zone

To determine if gastrin could also activate the fundic H⁺, K⁺-ATPase we conducted studies using pentagastrin, a synthetic peptide containing the entire five terminal amino acids of gastrin, which is know to cause robust acid secretion in corpus glands. At a dose of 100 μM pentagastrin we observed alkalinization rates that were 0.062±0.007 ΔpH_(i)/min which was similar to acetylcholine in terms of enhancing the rate of proton extrusion from fundic cells (FIG. 9).

Inhibitors of Gastric Acid Secretion

In the next series of studies we tried to determine if the fundic glands had similar H⁺, K⁺-ATPase inhibitor profiles as observed in the corpus. We chose the well characterized inhibitor of the gastric H⁺, K⁺-ATPase omeprazole and the P-CAB (potassium competitive acid blocker) AZD0865^(26, 27).

Omeprazole Effect on the F1 Zone and Corpus

As shown in FIG. 10 A, omeprazole did not inhibit acid secretion using the same concentration that completely inhibited secretagogue induced acid secretion in the corpus (FIG. 10 B). At even a higher dose than what normally inhibits acid secretion in the corpus the fundus continued to extrude protons. The fundic glands were preincubated with 200 μM omeprazole and 100 μM histamine and then perfused with omeprazole and histamine throughout the entire experiment. Alkalinization rates were 0.045±0.002 ΔpH_(i)/min compared to only histamine stimulated controls at a rate of 0.042±0.007 ΔpH_(i)/min. In contrast acid secretion in the corpus glands was abolished by 200 μmol omeprazole (0.014±0.002 ΔpH_(i)/min.), (FIG. 10 B).

AZD0865 Effect on the F1 Zone in Comparison to the Corpus:

Also shown in FIG. 10 (C, D), P-CAB AZD0865 effectively inhibits acid secretion in the corpus at a 10 μM concentration; however at that same concentration the F1 zone still has potassium dependant recovery. In the fundus the intracellular pH increased at a rate of 0.031±0.006 ΔpH_(i)/min. In the Corpus at the same concentration of 10 μM the recovery rate was 0.021±0.008 ΔpH_(i)/min.

Table 1

Composition of solutions used for intracellular pH measurements in single rat gastric glands. All concentrations are given in Mm. NMDG is N-Methyl-D-Glucosamine, all solutions were titrated to pH 7.4 at 37° C. using either NaOH or KOH. NMDG was titrated with HCL.

TABLE 1 Solution 3: Solution 2: Na⁺-free Solution 4: Solution 1: Na⁺-free HEPES + High K⁺ Standard HEPES HEPES NH4Cl calibration NaCl 125 — — — NMDG — 125 125 125 NH₄Cl — — 20 — KCl 3 3 3 105 MgSO₄ 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 CaCl₂ 1 1 1 1 Glucose 5 5 5 — HEPES 32.2 32.2 32.2 32.2 pH 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.0

Discussion

In this study we have provided evidence that the fundic region of the stomach contains glands that are capable of secreting acid via the gastric H⁺, K⁺-ATPase. In our study we have for the first time characterized the acid secretory properties of the fundus. We provide morphological, immunohistochemical and functional evidence for H⁺, K⁺-ATPase protein activity in the fundus In our morphological studies we first had to delineate where the fundus began and ended. As it is understood that this region begins at the gastro esophageal junction we decided to take glands from this junction point until the initiation of the greater curve of the fundus. We took tissue sections from what we called the F1 zone starting from the gastro esophageal junction and continued 2 mm distally. We found these glands to be quite different in shape and also in parietal cell like density. To confirm that parietal cells in F1 contain H⁺, K⁺-ATPase we stained for the α and β subunit (FIG. 7 shows the staining for the α subunit).

During our investigation of secretagogue induced fundic acid secretion we were able to demonstrate that histamine is not the most potent stimulator of acid secretion in the fundus as it is in the corpus. In fact, very little difference was seen in glands that were not stimulated compared to those stimulated with histamine (FIGS. 8 and 9). This result was confirmed by a lack of staining for the H2 receptor in the fundus (data not shown). Acetylcholine was the most robust of the three secretagogues in the fundus, which may relate to the close proximity of the vagal nerve to the fundic region. As this section of the stomach stretches when food is present, there is vagal stimulation^(28a-30a) with associated acetylcholine secretion. This finding is especially important when considering clinical problems in obese patients who have gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). This can be correlated to the benefits patients with sever ulcer disease gain when undergoing a vagotomy after not gaining relief from medical management^(31a-33a).

Another interesting finding is the lack of inhibition by omeprazole on fundic acid secretion although they are immunoreactive with antibodies for the gastric H⁺, K⁺-ATPase. We were unable to inhibit basal or secretagogue (histamine) induced fundic acid secretion with the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole (FIG. 10 A) at doses that were double that which effectively eliminated all acid secretion in the corpus (FIG. 10 B). These findings are in direct contrast to our data (FIG. 8 C, D)^(20a, 21a, 24a, 25a) and others findings in glands from the corpus^(34a-38a) This finding has an interesting clinical correlate in that there is an increasing number of patients suffering from GERD that are not effectively treated with PPI's. ^(39a) One possible explanation for the lack of omeprazole sensitivity could be that as omeprazole needs to be acid activated, a lack of a canaliculi like space would prevent the concentration of acid and potentially prevent the acid activation of the drug. As shown in FIG. 7 B, C using immunogold tag labeling we see that there is indeed a secretory space and that the pumps appear to line the apical surface of this space. With previous theories of acid secretion came the many dictums for surgical and medical modalities of treatment which focused on the corpus. Of interest is the recent incidence of GERD like symptoms in gastric bypass patients who following the procedure are left only with a small part of the fundus, and little to no functional corpus. In those symptomatic patients there has been little to no success using classical PPI's^(40a) which now can be possibly be explained by our recent findings. Our findings demonstrate that the fundic region of the stomach is much more than a holding area and in fact can secrete acid in response to secretagogue stimulation, furthermore the H⁺, K⁺-ATPase found in this segment appears insensitive to omeprazole. These results can lead to important new targets for patients that are PPI resistant or have recurrent reflux symptoms in the presence of PPI therapy.

Results:

Fundic glands showed a distinct morphology compared to corpus glands (elongated and lacking typical bulging parietal cells). Immunofluorescence (α and β subunit of the H⁺, K⁺-ATPase) and immunogold labeling (β subunit) were both positive in the fundic region. Fundic gland proton extrusion rates were stimulated by gastrin and acetylcholine but were not influenced by histamine. Finally acid secretion of stimulated fundic glands could not be inhibited by the H⁺, K⁺-ATPase inhibitor omeprazole.

CONCLUSION

The fundic region of the stomach secreted acid via the H⁺, K⁺ ATPase, and was not sensitive to proton pump inhibitors. Our findings demonstrate that the fundic region of the stomach is much more than a holding area and in fact can secrete acid in response to secretagogue stimulation, except histamine.

The digestion of food by the stomach requires a complex combination of hormonal and neuronal events. Generally it has been thought that the corpus or body of the stomach secretes acid via the parietal cells and the antrum secretes bicarbonate to neutralize the digestate by raising the pH of the stomach contents^(1a-9a). During this process the peristaltic movements of the stomach result in contractions that push the food upward into the fundic section of the stomach where it transits before exiting into the small intestines^(10a). In this model of digestion the fundus acts only as a holding zone and is not involved in acid secretion^(4a,11a). Classical gastric acid secretion in the corpus occurs when the H⁺, K⁺-ATPase gets stimulated by secretagogues and begins to secrete protons into the secretory canaliculus after being trafficked to the apical membrane from their cytoplasmic tubulovesicles^(12a). The parietal cell has at least three activating receptors on its basolateral membrane, i.e. histamine H2, acetylcholine M3 and Gastrin CCK-B. It is well accepted that the H2 receptor couples to Gs to activated adenylate cyclase producing cAMP and subsequent activation of cAMP dependant protein kinase. The acetylcholine and gastrin receptor couple through a non Gs system probably Gq to activate phospholipase C producing IP3 and diacylglycerol. Acetylcholine releases intracellular Ca²⁺ and gastrin activating protein kinase C^(13a). After this cascade of intracellular events the parietal cell extrudes protons via the H⁺, K⁺-ATPase pump which exchanges intracellular H⁺ ions for extracellular K⁺ ions in an electroneutral ratio^(14a).

Recent observations in patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery present an interesting paradigm, namely that only left with a small fundic region postoperatively, they still have acid secretion which in some patients leads to reflux symptoms, ulcers and enteric content leaks^(15a). Of note is that many of these patients have little success in abating the symptoms while on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy^(16a-18a). From these initial clinical observations we raised the question: does the fundus play a role in the production of acid, and how similar are its properties to corpus secretory proteins. We also were interested in determining fundic sensitivity to classical secretagogues and therefore conducted studies using histamine, pentagastrin, and acetylcholine.

In the present experiment we have investigated the acid secretory properties of the rat fundus under resting and secretagogue stimulated states, furthermore we elucidate fundic response to an inhibitory drug of acid secretion. Our data demonstrate that the fundic region is an active secretory zone in the stomach and contains a gastric H⁺, K⁺-ATPase that can be stimulated by secretagogues but appears to be insensitive to omeprazole. Zinc therapy according to the present invention is a means to regulate acid release in the fundus region.

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Second Set References

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Gastrointestinal complications of     laparoscopic roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in patients who are     morbidly obese: findings on radiography and CT. AJR Am J Roentgenol     2002; 179:1437-1442. -   16a. Peghini P L, Katz P O, Castell D O. Ranitidine controls     nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough on omeprazole: a controlled     study in normal subjects. Gastroenterology 1998; 115:1335-1339. -   17a. Peghini P L, Katz P O, Bracy N A, Castell D O. Nocturnal     recovery of gastric acid secretion with twice-daily dosing of proton     pump inhibitors. Am J Gastroenterol 1998; 93:763-767. -   18a. Sanders S W, Moore J G, Day G M, Tolman K G. Circadian     differences in pharmacological blockade of meal-stimulated gastric     acid secretion. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1992; 6:187-193. -   19a. Knauf F, Yang C L, Thomson R B, Mentone S A, Giebisch G,     Aronson P S. Identification of a chloride-formate exchanger     expressed on the brush border membrane of renal proximal tubule     cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2001; 98:9425-9430. -   20a. Dufner M M, Kirchhoff P, Remy C, Hafner P, Muller M K, Cheng S     X, Tang L Q, Hebert S C, Geibel J P, Wagner C A. The calcium-sensing     receptor acts as a modulator of gastric acid secretion in freshly     isolated human gastric glands. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver     Physiol 2005; 289:G1084-G1090. -   21a. Kirchhoff P, Dave M H, Remy C, Kosiek O, Busque S M, Dufner M,     Geibel J P, Verrey F, Wagner C A. An amino acid transporter involved     in gastric acid secretion. Pflugers Arch 2006; 451:738-748. -   22a. Waisbren S J, Geibel J, Boron W F, Modlin I M. Luminal     perfusion of isolated gastric glands. Am J Physiol 1994;     266:C1013-C1027. -   23a Waisbren S J, Geibel J P, Modlin I M, Boron W F. Unusual     permeability properties of gastric gland cells. Nature 1994;     368:332-335. -   24a. 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1. A method of increasing the pH of the gastric juices of the stomach of a patient, said method comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein a mixture of at least two zinc salts is administered to said patient.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate and mixtures thereof.
 4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said zinc salt is selected from at least two zinc salts selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate or mixtures thereof.
 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, a zinc amino acid chelate or mixtures thereof.
 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said zinc salt is selected from at least two zinc salts from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, a zinc amino acid chelate.
 7. The method according to any of claims 1-6 wherein said zinc salt or at least one of said zinc salts is a zinc amino acid chelate.
 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said zinc amino acid chelate is selected from the group consisting of mono- and bis-chelates of L- or D-amino acids.
 9. The method according to claim 8 or 9 wherein said amino acid chelate is a chelate of zinc with an amino acid selected from the group consisting L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-N-acetylcysteine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-taurine, L-glycinate, L-aspartate and L-methionine.
 10. The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said zinc salt is zinc chloride and optionally, at least one additional zinc salt selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, zinc sulfate and a zinc amino acid chelate.
 11. The method according to claim 1 wherein said zinc salt is zinc chloride.
 12. The method according to any of claims 1-11 wherein said zinc salt or said mixture of zinc salts is coadministered with at least one proton pump inhibitor.
 13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said proton pump inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole.
 14. The method according to any of claims 1-13 wherein said pH of said gastric juices in said patient increases to at least about 3.0 within a period no greater than about one hour of administering said zinc salt(s).
 15. The method according to any of claims 1-13 wherein said pH of said gastric juices in said patient increases to at least about 3.5 within a period no greater than about 30 minutes of administering said zinc salt(s).
 16. The method according to any of claims 1-13 wherein said pH of said gastric juices in said patient increases to at least 4.0 within a period no greater than about 20 minutes of administering said zinc salt(s).
 17. A method of reducing the likelihood of an ulcer comprising administering to a patient at risk for an ulcer because of elevated acid release in the stomach of said patient an effective amount of administering to said patient an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt.
 18. The method according to claim 1 wherein a mixture of at least two zinc salts is administered to said patient.
 19. The method according to claim 1 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate and mixtures thereof.
 20. The method according to claim 2 wherein said zinc salt is selected from at least two zinc salts selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate (soluble in dilute acid at low pH of the stomach), zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate or mixtures thereof.
 21. The method according to any of claims 17-20 wherein said zinc salt(s) is combined with an effective amount of at least one proton pump inhibitor.
 22. The method according to claim 21 wherein said proton pump inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole and mixtures thereof.
 23. A method of treating a patient for a disease state or condition selected from the group consisting of gastroesophageal reflux disease, (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZE syndrome), ulcer disease and gastric cancer comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt.
 24. The method according to claim 23 wherein a mixture of at least two zinc salts is administered to said patient.
 25. The method according to claim 23 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate and mixtures thereof.
 26. The method according to claim 23 wherein said zinc salt is selected from at least two zinc salts selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate or mixtures thereof.
 27. The method according to claim 23 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, a zinc amino acid chelate or mixtures thereof.
 28. The method according to claim 23 wherein said zinc salt is selected from at least two zinc salts from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, a zinc amino acid chelate.
 29. The method according to any of claims 23-28 wherein said zinc salt or at least one of said zinc salts is a zinc amino acid chelate.
 30. The method according to claim 29 wherein said zinc amino acid chelate is selected from the group consisting of mono- and bis-chelates of L- or D-amino acids.
 31. The method according to claim 29 or 30 wherein said amino acid chelate is a chelate of zinc with an amino acid selected from the group consisting L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-N-acetylcysteine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-taurine, L-glycinate, L-aspartate and L-methionine.
 32. The method according to claim 23 or 24 wherein said zinc salt is zinc chloride and optionally, at least one additional zinc salt selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, zinc sulfate and a zinc amino acid chelate.
 33. The method according to claim 23 wherein said zinc salt is zinc chloride.
 34. The method according to any of claims 23-33 wherein said zinc salt or mixture of zinc salts is coadministered with at least one agent selected from the group consisting of a proton pump-inhibitor, an H2 blocker, a cytoprotective agent or a mixture of two or more of these agents.
 35. The method according to claim 34 wherein said proton pump inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole.
 36. The method according to claim 34 wherein said H2 blocker is cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine or mixtures thereof.
 37. The method according to claim 34 wherein said cytoprotective agent is bismuth subsalicylate, sucralfate or mixtures thereof.
 38. The method according to claim 34 wherein said mixture of agents is prevpac.
 39. The method according to any of claim 23-38 wherein said disease state or condition is GERD, NERD or ZE syndrome.
 40. The method according to any of claims 23-38 wherein said disease is ulcer disease and said zinc salt is further combined with at least one agent selected from the group consisting of an anti-H. pylori agent or helidac.
 41. A method of inhibiting vacuolar H⁺-ATPase, H⁺/K⁺-ATPase or both H⁺-ATPase and H⁺/K⁺-ATPase in the stomach of a patient comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt.
 42. The method according to claim 41 wherein a mixture of at least two zinc salts is administered to said patient.
 43. The method according to claim 41 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate and mixtures thereof.
 44. The method according to claim 42 wherein said zinc salt is selected from at least two zinc salts selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate or mixtures thereof.
 45. The method according to claim 41 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, a zinc amino acid chelate or mixtures thereof.
 46. The method according to claim 41 wherein said zinc salt is selected from at least two zinc salts from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, a zinc amino acid chelate.
 47. The method according to any of claims 41-46 wherein said zinc salt or at least one of said zinc salts is a zinc amino acid chelate.
 48. The method according to claim 47 wherein said zinc amino acid chelate is selected from the group consisting of mono- and bis-chelates of L- or D-amino acids.
 49. The method according to claim 47 or 48 wherein said amino acid chelate is a chelate of zinc with an amino acid selected from the group consisting L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-N-acetylcysteine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-taurine, L-glycinate, L-aspartate and L-methionine.
 50. The method according to claim 41 or 42 wherein said zinc salt is zinc chloride and optionally, at least one additional zinc salt selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, zinc sulfate and a zinc amino acid chelate.
 51. The method according to claim 41 wherein said zinc salt is zinc chloride.
 52. The method according to any of claims 41-51 wherein said zinc salt or said mixture of zinc salts is coadministered with at least one proton pump inhibitor.
 53. The method according to claim 52 wherein said proton pump inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole.
 54. The method according to any of claims 41-53 wherein said pH of said gastric juices in said patient increases to at least 4.0 within a period no greater than about 20 minutes of administering said zinc salt(s).
 55. The method according to any of claims 41-54 wherein said patient does not respond effectively to proton pump inhibitor therapy.
 56. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt in combination with an effective amount of a proton pump inhibitor, an H2 blocker, an anti-H. pylori agent, a cytoprotective agent, or mixtures thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, additive or excipient.
 57. The composition according to claim 56 wherein said proton pump inhibitor is esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole or mixtures thereof.
 58. The composition according to claim 56 wherein said H2 blocker is cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine or mixtures thereof.
 59. The composition according to claim 56 wherein said anti-H. pylori agent is selected from the group consisting of amoxicillin, clarithromycin (biaxin), metronidazole (flagyl), tetracycline and mixtures thereof.
 60. The composition according to claim 56 wherein said cytoprotective agent is bismuth subsalicylate or sucralfate.
 61. A method of treating an H. pylori infection in a patient comprising administering to said patient an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt, optionally in combination with an anti-H. pylori agent.
 62. The method according to claim 61 wherein a mixture of at least two zinc salts is administered to said patient.
 63. The method according to claim 61 or 62 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate and mixtures thereof.
 64. The method according to any of claims 61-63 wherein said zinc salt is selected from at least two zinc salts selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate or mixtures thereof.
 65. The method according to claim 61 or 62 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, a zinc amino acid chelate or mixtures thereof.
 66. The method according to claim 61 or 62 wherein said zinc salt is selected from at least two zinc salts from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, a zinc amino acid chelate.
 67. The method according to any of claims 61-66 wherein said zinc salt or at least one of said zinc salts is a zinc amino acid chelate.
 68. The method according to claim 67 wherein said zinc amino acid chelate is selected from the group consisting of mono- and bis-chelates of L- or D-amino acids.
 69. The method according to claim 67 or 68 wherein said amino acid chelate is a chelate of zinc with an amino acid selected from the group consisting L-cysteine, L-cystine, L-N-acetylcysteine, L-histidine, D-histidine, L-taurine, L-glycinate, L-aspartate and L-methionine.
 70. The method according to claim 67 or 68 wherein said zinc salt is zinc chloride and optionally, at least one additional zinc salt selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc citrate, zinc gluconate, zinc picolinate, zinc sulfate and a zinc amino acid chelate.
 71. The method according to claim 61 wherein said zinc salt is zinc chloride.
 72. The method according to any of claims 61-71 wherein said zinc salt or mixture of zinc salts is coadministered with at least one anti-H. pylori agent.
 73. The method according to claim 72 wherein said anti-H. pylori agent is selected from the group consisting of amoxicillin, clarithromycin (biaxin), metronidazole (flagyl), tetracycline and mixtures thereof.
 74. Use of an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt in the manufacture of a medicament for increasing the pH of the gastric juices of the stomach of a patient.
 75. The use according to claim 74 wherein said zinc salt is a mixture of at least two zinc salts.
 76. The use according to claim 74 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate and mixtures thereof.
 77. Use of an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a patient for a disease state or condition selected from the group consisting of gastroesophageal reflux disease, (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZE syndrome), ulcer disease and gastric cancer.
 78. The use according to claim 77 wherein said zinc salt is a mixture of at least two zinc salts.
 79. The use according to claim 77 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate and mixtures thereof.
 80. Use of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt, optionally in combination with an anti-H. pylori agent in the manufacture of a medicament for of treating an H. pylori infection in a patient.
 81. The use according to claim 80 wherein said zinc salt is a mixture of at least two zinc salts.
 82. The use according to claim 80 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate and mixtures thereof.
 83. Use of at least one pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt in the manufacture of a medicament for inhibiting vacuolar H⁺-ATPase, H⁺/K⁺-ATPase or both H⁺-ATPase and H⁺/K⁺-ATPase in the stomach of a patient.
 84. The use according to claim 83 wherein said zinc salt is a mixture of at least two zinc salts.
 85. The use according to claim 83 wherein said zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc ascorbate, zinc butryate, zinc carbonate, zinc citrate, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate, zinc undenylate, a zinc amino acid chelate and mixtures thereof. 